Caregiving

According to a recent AARP study, about one-in-ten grandparents say they have grandchildren living in the household and about one-in-six provide day care for their grandchildren. Grandparenting certainly has its rewards. But for some, it may be riddled with legal questions and responsibilities.

RALEIGH -- AARP North Carolina, which represents 1.1 million people in the state, sent a letter to state House and Senate leaders this week outlining priorities important to the growing number of people in the state who are providing care to family members with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

With the state’s rapidly growing aging population, the number of people with Alzheimer’s and age-related dementia is also on the rise. In North Carolina, over 160,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s disease, a number projected to increase to more than 210,000 by 2025. So how can North Carolina become more dementia friendly?

This week on “Without Limits,” you’ll meet Dr. Lyndall Hare, one person who is helping make Charlotte’s aging network better serve the whole community.

To better prepare the state to meet the needs of Alzheimer’s patients and those who support their care, the North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM), in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division on Aging and Adult Services, AARP North Carolina, Alzheimer’s NC, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Duke Endowment, the Winston-Salem Foundation, and LeadingAge NC, released the recommendations of the multi-stakeholder Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias.

By Doug Dickerson, State Director, AARP North Carolina

RALEIGH— With 1.8 million North Carolinians providing care to family members at some point of time each year, many are seeking local, state and federal resources to help. AARP released an updated 131606 Care NC Guide_16pp that will assist those needing information and resources to help them take care of family members and loved ones.

When it comes to meeting the needs of AARP’s 1.1 million North Carolina members, AARP’s continued work to improve the financial and health security of all North Carolinians is essential. Here is a recap of AARP’s state legislative outcomes and positions in 2015 with a glimpse of issues to expect in 2016.

On this special farewell program, host Debra Tyler Horton reminisces about the program’s past five years with producer John Low of WAUG radio. With Debra moving on to take on the role of Director of AARP Georgia, the two discuss the challenges of navigating life’s changes such as career moves, caring for loved ones and more.

LUMBERTON – AARP is recognizing the efforts of 40 million Americans, including the nearly 1.8 million in North Carolina, who help older parents, spouses, and other loved ones live independently at home, where they want to be. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, the unpaid care they provide – managing medications, cooking meals, driving to appointments, performing complex medical tasks and more – is valued at about $5.95 billion annually.